Daniil Medvedev became the first to qualify for the singles semifinals of the ATP Finals in Turin. The Russian, third favorite in the tournament, defeated the German 7-6 (9-7) and 6-4 Alexander Zverevseeded seventh, added his second victory in straight sets in the Red Group and secured a place in the next phase.
The world number three won a match that started very even, but ended up leaning more easily in his favor in the second set, especially due to his rival’s doubts and errors.
Medvedev started with a break in the first game, which was a hard blow for Zverev. The German, however, did not give up and in an initial set without a clear dominator, he recovered serve to tie 3-3 and even had two sets points in it tie break. But the Russian held on and was able to close it just enough.
The head played tricks on Sasha in the second chapter, he began to rush, to play nervously and he paid dearly for it. Medvedev, even without overwhelming him, was better, he broke at the right moment – in the last game of the match – and sealed his victory and his move to the semis.
It is the third time that the Russian has made it among the four best in the Masters Tournament. He reached that stage for the first time in 2020, when he ended up lifting the trophy after defeating in the final Dominic Thiem. And again in 2021, when he lost in the title match against Zverev.
“It was a very tough match mentally,” acknowledged the Muscovite. “I started playing very well and he wasn’t very involved in the match, but at one point he raised the level and I just started to play a little worse. I’m happy to have been able to regroup and play well at the end of the first set and to have taken the victory. Because I think this year I had lost some games like this.”
Medvedev had surpassed his friend and compatriot in his debut Andrey Rublevwho today was left with no chance of advancing when he fell to Carlos Alcaraz in the other singles duel of the day.
The Murcian, number two in the world, won 7-5 and 6-2, recovered from a weak start – he had lost in his first presentation with Zverev – and kept his chances of reaching the semis alive.
“I showed my game and came into the match with more confidence than in the previous one. Beating Andrey is something that gives you a lot of confidence. This victory is even more special after losing the first match. It has been difficult for me to show my level in the last tournaments , so this match will help me a lot for the next one. I am very happy to show that my level is still there and that I still have options in this tournament,” commented the Spaniard.
“The other day I left with bad feelings. I thought I was not going to win any match because of how I came out of the match against Zverev,” he said, remembering that tough defeat 6-7 (3-7), 6-3 and 6-4 against the German, the third in a row for him at the end of a long season.
“Now everything has changed and I think I have a chance to be in the semi-finals. I don’t want to think about the holidays now, I want to qualify,” he added.
Alcaraz – who is playing in the end-of-season competition for the first time – will clash on Friday, at the closing of the group, with Medvedev and will not depend on himself to advance to the playoffs. He will also have to see what happens with the clash between Zverev and Rublev.
This Thursday the action will continue in the Pala Alpitour of Turin, with the definitions of the Green Groups for singles and doubles. And with a duel of Argentines.
The thing is Horacio Zeballos and spanish Marcel Granollerswith the pass to the semis of the doubles assured, they will collide with Maximo Gonzalez y Andres Molteniwho have no chance of advancing, in a match that will start no earlier than 2:30 p.m. in Argentina.
A while before, Novak Djokovicnumber one in the world and top favorite, will look for a key victory thinking about the semifinals against the Pole Hubert Hurkaczwho will debut in the contest after replacing the injured Stefanos Tsitsipas for this last date.
The Serbian, who has just lost with Jannik Sinnerseeded fourth, will take the court no earlier than 10:30.
The Italian, who after beating Absent He was left with one foot in the next phase, he will try to take the last step to get into the top four from 5:00 p.m., when he collides with the Dane Holger Runeoctavo.
2023-11-15 23:34:12
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